Electric block railway-signal.



E. B. SAMUELS.

ELECTRIC] BLOCK RAILWAY SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED 00T.22,1907.

926,022. Patented June 22, 1909.

THE Nomus PETERS ca, wnsmuarou, D r

BL B. SAMUELS.

ELECTRIC BLOCK RAILWAY SIGNAL. APPLICATION FILED 001'. 22, 1007.

926,022. Patented June 22,1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

1n: NORRIS PETERS cm. WASHINGTON. D- c E. B. SAMUELS.

ELECTRIC BLOCK RAILWAY SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED 00T.22,1907.

Patented June 22, 1909.

4 SHEETHSHIBET 3.

Wihyeo zo yai rm: NORRIS PETERS Cm. wasnmcrou, n. c

E. B. SAMUELS.

ELECTRIC BLOCK RAILWAYBIGNAL.

APPLICATION Mum 001.22, 1907.

Patented June 22, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

FM; NORRIS PETERS m WISNINGYON. v.0.

UNITED STATES -ATENT UFFICE.

EMORY B. SAMUELS, OF DEATSVILLE, K'ENIUOKY.

ELECTRIC BLOCK RAILWAY-SIGNAL.

.T 0 all whom it may concern:

train automatically sets the danger signal' ahead, and behind, on singletracks when it passes into a block, and automatically releases saidsignal when passing out of the block. In double track systems the trainsets the signal behind only as it enters the block, as the trains areall traveling in one direction on each track, and thus there is noliability of a head-on collision.

My invention consists in the construction and arrangement of parts toaccomplish the results hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1, is a plan view of a single trackshowing the general arrangement of the signal towers and release and setlevers. Fig. 2, is a plan view of a double track showing the arrangementof the signal towers and release and set le vers. Fig. 3, is adiagrammatical view of a single track showingtwo signal towers and theirwiring and arrangement for operating the signals in the tower. Fig. 4,is a sectional view of the signal tower showing the signal set fordanger. Fig. 5, is a sectional view of the signal towersimilar to Fig.1, and showing the signal released showing a clear track. Fig. 6, isaside elevation of the track lever operating mechanism. Fig. 7,-is aside elevation similar to Fig. 6, showing the lever being depressed bythe passing tr-ain. Fig. 8, is an enlarged side elevation of the circuitclosing mechanism operated by the track levers. Fig. 9, is a sideelevation of a n1odification showing the track levers operated by theflange of the wheel of the passing train.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 represents a single track equipped withmy block signal systems, and 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 represent the signaltowers arranged along the track for illustrating the operation of theSpecification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 22, 1907.

Patented June 2.2, 1909.

Serial No. 398,674.

several signals, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

8 and 9 represent double tracks equipped with my signal system, and 10,11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 represent the several signal towers and theirarrangement along the track for illustrating the general operation ofthe nals in the towers operated by the moving train, all of which willbe hereinafter more fully described.

The outside rail of the track is ind' rated by 16 and located adjacentthereto is a box 17 which carries the circuit closer 18. Adjacent therail 16 between the same and the box 17 is a plate'19 which may besecured to the rail or the tie, as desired, as the means of securingthis bar forms no p art of my invention. The plate 19 is provided withan opening 20 through which the bar 21 passes, and surrounding said bar21 above the plate is a coiled spring 22 which has its upper end hearingagainst an enlarged portion 23 of the bar 21, and normally holding saidbar in its upward position. The car wheel 24 is provided with anextension 25 which is adapted to engage the enlarged portion 23 of thebar 21. and depress the same. The plate 19 is provided with arlownwardly-extemling arm 25 to which is pivoted at 26 the lever 27which has its outer end pivoted. at 28 to the bar 21. The opposite end.of the lever 27 is turned upwardly at 29 and passes through an opening30 in the box 17. The lower end of the box is provided with an upwarlly-oxtending arm 3]. to which is intcrmediately pivoted the lever 32.One end of said lever provided with a flattened portion 33 whereby thelever may be operated by the hand or foot. Adjacent the opposite end ofthe lever 32 the upward-turned portion 29 of the lever 27 is providedwith a roller 3 which is directly below the lever 32, and engages thesame and forces it upwardly for closing the circuit. The extreme outerend of the lever 32 is provided with a roller36 which is made of somenon-conducting material, and is adapted to pass between the spring arms37 and 38 of the circuit closer, as shown in Fig. '7, whereby thecircuits are closed, operating the relays which in turn close the signalcircuits, whereby the signals are either set or released.

In Fig. 9, instead of providing the wheel with the extension 25, thelever 27 is extended under the rail 16 and has connected thereto the rod39 which extends through the base of the rail and through the plate 40,and

extends up along the side of the rail, and is the said rod 39 isdepressed by the flange 4-2 of the wheel, although this is notapplicants preferred form of operating the signal.

The signal towers are formed of an enlarged base 43, in which aremounted the relays 44 and 45, which control the local circuits of thesignal operating apparatus. The base 43 has attached at its upper-endthe hollow stem portion 46 which carries at its upper end, the enlargedbox-like portion 47 carrying the signal, which I will now proceed todescribe.

The signal tower proper 47 is'provided on the side adjacent the trackwith anopening 48 through which the semaphore 49 is adapted to extendwhen the signal is set for danger in the day time, and the said openingmay be surrounded with a casing 50 which protects the semaphore when itis held out in danger position. The tower is also provided with anopening 51 back of which is arranged a lamp for displaying the propersignal at night. The opening for the night signal is on the side of thetower so that the engineermay readily see said signal. The semaphore isprovided with a red glass plate 52 which works between the opening andthe lamp, whereby when the semaphore is set for danger at night the redsignal will be displayed, and when the semaphore is released the usualwhite signal is displayed to indicate that the track is clear.

The semaphore operating mechanism is all inclosed within the tower 47,and consists of s a lever 53 pivoted at 54 and having theoutwardly-turned end 55 which is screwthreaded at 56 and upon which isscrewed the weight 57, whereby the lower end of the lever is normallyheld in the position shown in Fig. 5. In order to further assist inholding said lever in the position shown I provide a spring 58 which isattached to the lower end of the lever, and has its opposite endattached to a stationary part of the tower. Adjacent the lever below itspivotal connection 54 is a magnet 59 which is energized through thelocal circuit formed of the wires 60 and 61, and thus draws the lever inthe position shown in Fig. 4. The semaphore is pivoted adjacent itsupper end, as indicated at 62, and the upper end thereof is providedwith the slotted portion 63 which receives a pin 64 carried by the lowerend of the lever 53, whereby when the lever is swung inwardly thesemaphore is moved outwardly displaying the same by day or at night,covering the opening 51 with the red plate of glass and displaying thered light. In order to limit the inward and outward movement of thelever 53 I provide the studs 65 and 66 with thumbscrews 67 and 68,whereby the throw of the lever may be regulated in both directions, andthus the throw of the semaphore may be regulated for causing it toassume the proper position to be properly displayed and properly coverthe opening 51.

In order to lock the signal in the set position I provide the lever 53with a pin 69 over which the pivoted catch 70 is adapted to hook. Thesaid catch is normally held in the position shown in Fig. 4 by thespring 11.

When the lever 53 is drawn inwardly by the magnet 59 the pin 69 engagesthe beveled end 72 of the catch, forcing it upwardly and allowing thehook to catch over the pin,- whereby the signal is locked in its setposition.

Arranged above the catch 70 is a magnet 73 which is energized throughthe wires 74 and 75 of the local circuit, and whereby the latch isreleased, allowing the lever 53 to be drawn over in the position shownin Fig. 5 by the spring 58 and the weight 57. The local circuitcontrolling magnet 73 is closed by the relays which are operated throughthe circuits and closed by the track levers, which will be hereinaftermore fully described.

The circuit closers 76, as before stated, are composed of the springarms 37 and 38, which carry the contact points 77 and 77 which arenormally in contact and complete the metallic circuit through the twocircuit closers, and the two relays that are connected together. Thecircuit closer is provided with the arms 78 and 79. The arms 37, 38, 78and 79 are all embedded in a block of insulating material and haveconnected thereto the wires 80, 81, 82 and 83 which lead to the relaysin the two signal towers, all of which I will now proceed to describe.

As shown in Fig. 1 the signal towers are arranged on opposite sidesof-the track, the arrows indicating the direction of travel of thetrains. A train traveling from the right toward the left engages therelease lever 84, and thesignal having been previously released byanother train, has no efi'ect upon the signal. The train next engagestheset lever 85 which sets the signal in the tower- 5, as appearing fordanger by the semaphore 86 by day, or by the light 97 by night, so thata danger signal is displayed from the direction of travelof the train.The set lever also, through the wires 88, sets the danger signal at thetower 4, as indicated at 89 and 90, so as to prevent a train fromentering the block fromthe front. The release and set levers, as shownat 84 and 85, are far enough in advance of the tower 5 so thatthe'engineer may see that the signal is operated by his train andtherefore preventing him from entering the block if the signal is notoperated by his train. The train engages the release lever 91 whichreleases the signal'in tower 7. As the train'continues to travel throughthe as it approaches the tower 13 it engages the block as it nears thetower 3 it engages the set lever 92 which sets the signal in the towers3 and 2. After the train passes the tower 4 it engages the release lever03 which releases the signals in the towers 4 and 5 and gives a cleartrack. The operation of the towers is the same when the train isapproaching in the op osite direction.

111 Fig. 2 the signa s are simply set and released in separate towers,owing to the double track system. The train being on the upper trackbetween the towers 13 and 15,

release 94 which releases the signals 05 and 96 in the tower 15. It nextengages the set lever 97 which sets the signals 98 in the tower 13 andthus prevents the train from entering the block between the towers 11and 13 until the train has passed the release lever 99, and theset lever100, which sets the signal 101 in the tower 11.

I will now proceed to describe the relays and the local circuits, asshown in 3. The track is indicated at 102, and the arrows A and B at thesides indicate the two directions of travel of the trains. The signalsare set for a clear track; that is, they are released, and the traincomes along in the direction of the arrow B it would first operate therelease lever or closer, as indicated at 103, but the signal being inthe position shown in Fig. 5, will not be operated. The continued travelof the train operates the set levers which close the circuits throughthe spring arms 38 and through the plate 79 through the wire 104 to thebattery 105, and through the wire 106 to the plate 78, and through thespring arm 37 into the wire 107. The circuit then passes through thewire 107 to the circuit closer 113 of the release lever back through thewire 100 to the relay 14:, which closes the local circuit 109 andthrough the wires 60 and 61 sets the signal. in the tower ahead asheretofore described. The circuit passes from the relay 141 through thewire 110 to the relay 4 1, which closes local circuit 111, which throughthe wires (50 and 61 in the tower just passes, and sets the signal inthe position shown in Fig. 4. The circuit then passes from the relay 4 1through the wire 112 back to the spring arm 38 and the circuit is comleted. All of this takes place instantaneous y when. the rod 21 isdepressed by the passing train, and the member 36 is spreading the arms37 and 38. By this construction set forth it will be seen that thesignal is set in two towers, so as to prevent a head-on or rear-endcollision. The train traveling next strikes the set lever 113 foroperating signal when the train is traveling in the direction indicatedby the arrow A, but when the train is traveling in the directionindicated by arrow B the signals are set and thus they are not affectedby passing over the levers 113. The train next passes over the release1.1.4 which through the wire 115 closes the circuit to the battery 116,and from the battery the circuit passes back to the release 11 1: andout through the wire 1 17 to the relay 45 which closes the local circuit118, and through the wires 74 and 75, which release the signal as shownin Fig. 5. The circuit passes through the wire 110 to the relay 45 whichcloses the local circuit 120 which releases the other signal. Thecircuit then passes from the relay through the wire 121 to the circuitcloser 103 and from there through the wire 122 to the circuit closer114. The operation is the same when the train is traveling in thedirection indicated by arrow A, and thus a signal is set in front andbehind the train no matter which way it is traveling.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byllietters latent, is

1. The combination with a railway track, signal towers arranged in pairsalong the 'track, electrically-operated signals within the towers, twocircuit closures opposite each tower, said closures composed of endplates insulated from two spring arms, said arms insulated from eachother, but having contact points normally engaging each other, wiresconnected to said end plates and spring arms and connected to the signalop erating mechanism through the closures of the other tower, and meansoperated by the train for spreading the spring arms and causing acontact between the spring arms and plates.

2. The combination with a railway track, signal towers arranged in pairsalong the track, signals within the towers, setting and releasingmechanism within the towers, two circuit closures opposite each tower,two circuits connecting the signal setting and release mechanism and thecircuit closures, one circuit normally open and the other circuitnormally closed, and means operated by the moving train for opening theclosed circuit and closing the open. circuit.

3. The combination with a railway track, signal towers arranged in pairsalong the track, signals within the towers, setting and releasingmechanism within the towers, two circuit closures opposite each tower,two circuits connecting the closures and the setting and releasemechanism, one circuit normally open and the other circuit normallyclosed, a lever for opening the closed circuit and closing the opencircuit, and means operated by the moving train for operating saidlever.

4. An electric railway signal apparatus, comprising signal towersarranged in pairs along the track, signals within said towers,electrically-operated si nal setting mechanism within the towers,electrically-operated signal-releasing n'iochanism within the towers, acircuit connecting the setting mechanism of the two towers, a circuitconnecting the release mechanism of the two towers, and two circuitclosures in each circuit substantially as described.

5. The combination with a railway track, signal towers adjacent thetrack and arranged in pairs, electrically-operated signals within thetower, local circuit within each tower for setting the signal, a localcircuit within each tower for releasing the signal, circuits controllingthe local circuits and circuit closures operated by the moving trainsfor controlling the last mentioned circuits.

6. An electric railway signal apparatus, comprising a signal towerhaving an opening therein, a pivoted semaphore adapted to eX- tendthrough said opening, a lever connected to said semaphore, an electricmagnet operating said lever for throwing the sema phore outwardlythrough said opening, a

spring normally holding the semaphore inwardly, a catch for locking thelever in a position with the semaphore in an outward position, anelectric'magnet operating said catch, and means for energizing saidmagnets for operating the semaphore.

7. An electric railway signal comprising a tower having an openingtherein, a pivoted semaphore therein and adapted to extend through theopening, said semaphore having a red glass therein adjacent the end, andadapted to extend over an opening in the tower when the semaphore ismoved out wardly, and electrically-operated means for working saidsemaphore.

S. The combination with a railway track, signal towers adjacent thetrack and arranged in pairs, electrically-operated signals within thetowers, a local circuit within each tower for setting the signal, alocal circuit within each tower for releasing the signal, two circuitclosures opposite each tower, two circuits connected to each closure andcontrolling the release and set mechanism within the tower, one circuitnormally open and the other circuit normally closed, and means operatedby the moving train for opening the normally closed circuit and closingthe normally open circuit, substantially as described.

9. An electric railway signal comprising a tower having an openingtherein, a pivoted semaphore therein, and adapted to eXtend through saidopening, electrically-operated means for swinging said semaphore throughthe opening and electrically-controlled means for controlling saidelectric operating means.

10. An electric railway signal comprising a tower, a semaphore pivotedtherein, a lever pivoted above the semaphore and having a looseconnection therewith, a spring connected to the lower end of the leverand normally holdingthe semaphore in an inward or downward position, anelectro magnet for drawing the lever inwardly against the ten sion ofthe spring and throwing the sema- )hore outwardly, a catch for holdingthe lever inwardly, and an electro magnet for raising said catch andreleasing the lever, whereby the spring draws the semaphore upwardly.

1 1. An electric railway signal comprising a tower, a semaphore pivotedat its upper end within the tower, a lever pivoted at its upper endabove the semaphore and having a loose connection with the up er end ofthe semaphore, a spring normal y holding the lever outwardly and thusholding the semaphore inwardly, an electric magnet on the opposite sideof the lever and adapted to draw the lever over against the tension ofthe spring whereby the semaphore is forced outward, catch for engagingsaid lever and holding it in its inward position, an electric magnetadapted to raise said catch, and means for energiz ing said magnets.

12. An electric railway signal comprising a tower, having an openingtherein, a semaphore pivoted at its upper end within the tower, a redglass carried by the semaphore below its pivotal connection with thetower, and adapted to cover said opening in the tower when the semaphoreis swung outwardly from within the tower.

13. An electric railway signal comprising a tower, having openings inits sides at right angles to each other, a semaphore pivoted at itsupper end within the tower, a red glass carried by the semaphore belowits pivotal connection with the tower, and means for throwing thesemaphore out through the o ening in one side of the tower, whereby theg ass covers the other opening.

14. The combination with a railway track, signal towers arranged inpairs along the track, signals within the towers, setting and releasingmechanism within the towers, two circuit closures opposite each towerand composed of two end plates insulated from two spring arms and saidarms insulated from each other, but normally in contact with each other,a separate wire connected to each of the end plates and spring arms andconnected tothe signal release and set mechanism, and means forspreading the arms apart for bringing them in contact with the end platefor closing two circuits.

15. The combination with a railway track, signal towers arranged inpairs along the track, signals within the towers, setting and releasingmechanism within the towers, two circuit closures opposite each tower,said closures composed of end plates insulated from the two spring arms,and said arms insulated from each other, but having contact pointsnormally engaging each other, wires connected to said arms andcompleting its circuit through the contact points, and means operated bythe passing trains for spreading the arms apart and completing thecircuit through the end plate and through the nor mally-closed springarms of the circuit closure of the other tower.

16. The combination with a railway track, signal towers adjacent thetracks, electrica llyoperated signals within the towers, local cir cuitswithin the towers for setting and releasing the signal, a metalliccircuit controlling the local circuits and means operated by the trainfor closing the metallic circuit and releasing and setting the signalthrough the local circuits.

17. The combination with a railway track, signal towers adjacent thetracks, electrically-operated signals, signals within the towers, localcircuits within the towers for setting and releasing the signal, metalcircuits adapted to operate relays in the local circuits, and tracklevers for closing the different metallic circuits whereby the signalsare set or released.

18. The combination with a railway track, signal towers adjacent thetracks and arranged in pairs, electrically-operated signals within thetower, a local circuit within each tower for setting the signal, a localcircuit within each tower for releasing the signal, a circuit operatedby the passing train for closing the local setting circuits of eachtower, and a second circuit operated by the passing train for closingthe local circuits of each tower.

19. An electric railway signal apparatus comprising a casing, asemaphore pivoted in termediate its ends within the casing, a leverpivoted at its upper end and having its lower end loosely connected tothe upper end of the semaphore above its pivotal connection, a

spring connected to the lower end of the leverand normally holding thesemaphore inwardly, a magnet operating upon the lever below its pivotalconnection for throwing the semaphore outward, a catch adapted to holdthe lever in a position with the semaphore outwardly and a magnet forreleasing said catch.

20. The combination with a railway track, signal towers arranged inpairs along the track, signals within the towers, setting and releasingmechanism within the towers, two circuit closures opposite each other,said closures composed of end plates insulated from two spring arms andsaid arms insulated from each other, but having contact points normallyengaging each other, wires connected to said end plates and spring armsand connected to the signal-operating mechanism through the closures ofthe other tower of the pair, and track levers operated by the train andhaving an enlarged portion adapted to pass between the spring arms ofthe circuit closure for spreading the arms apart and causing a contactbetween the arms and end plates, substantially as described.

21. The combination with a railway track, signal towers arranged inpairs along the track, signals within the towers, electric set ting andreleasing mechanism within the towers, two circuit closures oppositeeach tower, said. closure composed of end plates insulated from the twospring arms and said arm insulated from each other, but having contactpoints normally engaging each other, wires connected to said arms, andmeans operated by the passing trains for completing the circuit throughthe arms and end plates, and through the arms of the circuit closure ofthe other tower.

22. The combination with a railway track, signal towers arranged alongthe tracks in pairs, electrically operated signals within the towers,local circuits within the towers for setting and releasing the signal,metallic circuit controlling the local circuits, two circuit closuresopposite each tower, said closures composed of end plates insulated fromtwo spring arms, and said arms insulated from each other but havingcontact points normally engaging each other, the metallic circuitconnected to the arms and end plates and completed through the closuresof the other tower of the pair, and track levers operated by the trainfor spreading the arms apart and completing the circuit through the endplate, and through the normally closed spring arms of the circuitclosure of the other tower.

23. The combination with a railway track, signal towers arranged alongthe track in pairs, electrically-operated signals within the towers,local circuits within the towers for setting and releasing the signals,metallic circuits controlling the local circuits, two circuit closuresopposite each tower, said closures composed of end plates insulated fromtwo insulated spring arms and said plates insulated from each other,said arms having contact points normally engaging each other, themetallic circuits connected to the arms and plates and completed throughthe closures of the other tower of the pair, and, a track lover operatedby the train and having a block ol insulated material adapted to beforced between the spring arm and forcing the contact points apart, andcausing the arms to engage the plates and the spring arms, substantiallyas described.

In testimony whereof I a'llix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EMORY B. SAM UEIJS.

\Vitnesses CHAS. T. SAMUELS, HIGKMAN STOVER.

